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COVID-19 Update: Webpage and Resources

March 25, 2020

For additional information and resources for the exotic animal industry visit our  COVID-19 landing page.
As this is a public health emergency facilities should refer to their local public health department for additional plans and guidance specific to their area.

Call for submissions

As this response continues we are looking to promote additional content by the community for the community.
If you would like to write a guest blog post or share a resource with the community please send that content to [email protected] with the subject line: content submission.

Industry Resource and FAQ Pages

Eligible Emergency Protective Measures

Last week the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released a fact sheet on eligible emergency protective measures for the response to COVID-19.
The ZAHP Fusion Center is seeking additional clarification to determine how this may apply to the exotic animal industry and will share that information as it becomes available.

SBA Loans, Resources, and Guidance

The U.S. Small Business Administration has compiled guidance and loan resources for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Small business owners in all U.S. states and territories are currently eligible to apply for SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program which provides low interest loans to cover operating expenses after a declared disaster:

H.R. 6201: Families First Coronavirus Response Act

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) was signed into law on March 18th, expanding sick and family leave as well as unemployment insurance in response to COVID-19. This bill also includes tax credits to help employers cover additional paid leave requirements.
A summary of this bill is available here.
Essential Personnel
As more states begin ordering residents to shelter in place to decrease the spread of COVID-19 there has been a great deal of discussion about what qualifies as “essential personnel”. While it is not a government mandate and is intended to be advisory in nature, the Guidance on Essential Infrastructure Workers  released by the Department of Homeland Security on March 19th includes veterinary health workers as essential.  Ultimately, decisions about the essential workforce will be made at the state and local level.
Facilities should work with local emergency management to ensure their animal care staff is able to continue caring for collections during this emergency and determine what documentation staff will need to carry when reporting to work.
Information on how to contact your local emergency management should be available on your State Emergency Management Agency’s website.
Highlighted Resources 
  • Webinar (Recording): Visitor Attractions Managing Through Crisis, COVID-19
    Dexibit, the American Alliance of Museums, International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, and Blooloop recently provided a webinar on visitor attracitons managing through COVID-19. Click here to view a recording.
    Slides are available here.
  • Q & A : Science-Based Facts & Knowledge About Wild Animals, Zoos, and SARS-CoV-2
    The European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians (EAZWV) Infectious Disease Working Group recently produced a Q&A of Science-Based Facts & Knowledge About Wild Animals, Zoos, and SARS-CoV-2 .
    This document includes current facts and supplemental information from reliable sources.